In a wide-ranging conversation on The Mishal Husain Show, former England footballer and BBC presenter Gary Lineker discussed his transition from sports broadcasting to podcasting, his upcoming Netflix project, and the controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States under Donald Trump's presidency.
Lineker, who spent decades as the face of BBC's football coverage, revealed his excitement about his new show on Netflix, though he remained tight-lipped on details. He also reflected on the unique challenges of covering a World Cup that has been mired in political and ethical debates, from FIFA's leadership under Gianni Infantino to the human rights record of host nations.
"It's a different World Cup for me," Lineker said, acknowledging the shift from being a commentator to a media entrepreneur. He didn't shy away from criticizing Trump, whose administration has been a polarizing figure in global politics. During a segment on his podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker and his co-hosts have previously taken aim at the former president, and he hinted that the upcoming tournament would be a test for American democracy.
Lineker also reminisced about his experience broadcasting the London 2012 Olympics, calling it a career highlight. Despite the off-field concerns, he remains hopeful for England's chances, saying, "We don't know from day to day what's gonna happen, but the talent is there."
Elsewhere in the interview, Lineker addressed the growing influence of streaming platforms like Netflix in sports media, signaling a potential end to traditional broadcast dominance. He praised the flexibility and global reach of digital platforms but warned that the industry must navigate the murky waters of FIFA's commercial interests and political alignments carefully.